7 Shampoos for Oily Hair That Will Make You See the Difference

Does it seem that no matter how often you wash your hair, you just can’t get away from a greasy scalp? Does oil build up on your roots leaving your style looking dull and lifeless? The answer to this problem is as easy as switching your shampoo. Say goodbye to greasy hair with one of these shampoos specifically designed to treat and manage oily scalp.

The Best Shampoos for Oily Hair

For those with extremely oily hair, take a look at these alternative shampoos specifically made to improve greasy locks. When choosing a shampoo that will work for you and your hair, there are many factors to consider, such as, ingredients, daily use, retail availability, and price.

#1: Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo

If you suffer from flaky, oily hair, look no further than this all-natural solution. One of the best de-greasing shampoos on the market, this natural dandruff treatment removes oil and grease buildup from your scalp by washing out pores and making them smaller. This formula also smooths frizz and promotes hair growth. Hair will often over-produce sebum, making hair look even greasier. Maple Holistics’ shampoo reduces your hair’s oil production by restoring your natural level of sebum secretion.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: One of the best things about this dandruff treatment is that it contains all-natural ingredients and is free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. The primary ingredients are botanical keratin, lemon oil, rosemary oil, and basil oil. Perhaps the most effective ingredient, lemon oil, gently cleanses oily and greasy hair without stripping away the natural oils that your hair needs to remain healthy. Rosemary oil promotes cell renewal and the botanical keratin adds a keratin boost. When hair lacks this nutrient, it can cause a lot of different problems with your hair. The added bonus in this sulfate-free shampoo is basil. Basil oil revitalizes hair and works deep down in the follicles to reduce thinning and moisturize brittle strands.

Use: Spread shampoo through wet hair and let all the ingredients soak in for about three minutes. Rinse, and if needed, repeat.

With this dandruff and oil control shampoo, Maple Holistics has given those with extra oily hair a chance to keep their scalp healthy. I recommend this product for anyone who values all-natural ingredients but still wants one of the best clarifying shampoos on the market.

#2: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Neutrogena’s drugstore shampoo for oily hair is uniquely formulated as a once-a-week treatment to clear out residue hiding in your roots. When used regularly, this product rinses out nearly all the oil from your hair and leaves your locks soft and shiny. Your hair will feel completely fresh and restored with this mild, non-irritating formula. If you have fine, oily hair, Neutrogena’s shampoo will uplift your roots while cleansing, giving you amazing volume.

This shampoo sells for just about $5 per bottle, making it an extremely cheap shampoo that still guarantees good results. The product comes in Neutrogena’s iconic minimalistic packaging, and you can even buy this shampoo in packs of three or four for bulk savings.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: Neutrogena’s anti-residue shampoo isn’t completely all-natural, but the formula is free of artificial dyes or colorants. It also contains citric acid to help absorb nearly 90% of oil residue that collects at the roots of your hair.

Use: Wet your hair thoroughly and massage the shampoo into your hair, allowing it to lather. Repeat if necessary. Take care of your flat, oily hair by using this hair treatment once a week to keep your hair healthy and free of any damaging build-up.

Why it works: When used with your favorite shampoo, Neutrogena’s anti-residue shampoo will amplify the benefits of your go-to hair wash while removing the dulling build-up that settles deep into the roots.

Pros

Non-irritating formula

Safe for color-treated hair

Lasts a long time

Cons

Ingredients are not all-natural

Not for daily use

At such an affordable price, this shampoo is packed with benefits. Neutrogena’s shampoo transforms limp, oily hair into refreshed and voluminous locks. According to the reviews for this shampoo, you’ll start to see noticeable results after just two or three uses, which is quicker than most products for oily hair.

#3: Desert Essence Organics Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo

Desert Organics’ lemon tea tree shampoo will do wonders for your greasy roots, revitalize your scalp, and prevent future oil buildup. This moisturizing shampoo for oily hair won’t dry out your hair while absorbing excess oils and doubles as a volumizing shampoo for fine, oily hair. Selling for around $9 per bottle, this product is extremely affordable, and it is often on sale.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: A certified organic product, this shampoo for oily hair contains lemon, tea tree oil, maca root, and lemon peel extract. The Australian tea tree oil gently washes away any excess oil in your hair without stripping it of natural moisture. The maca root helps strengthen and protect your locks from any future damage, and the lemon peel extract loosens up the oils at your roots so that they are completely dissolved and washed away.

Use: Work a very small amount of product into wet hair, allowing it to lather. If you feel that your hair needs extra cleansing, rinse and repeat. Follow with a conditioner.

Why it works: This shampoo was certified by the NSF Organic Standard. The natural ingredients are guaranteed to produce satisfactory results when it comes to absorbing unwanted oils.

#4: Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo

Avalon Organics firmly believes that true beauty begins with the earth. The brand’s mission is to make products from natural ingredients with carefully created formulas from different botanical combinations. The lemon clarifying shampoo contains vitamin E to naturally brighten hair and clear excess oils from your roots. Using this affordable shampoo will put body and shine back into dull locks.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: Avalon Organics works to make the majority of their products just that—organic. This lemon clarifying shampoo is completely vegan and does not contain any harmful GMOs, sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. This mostly plant-based shampoo includes lemon peel oil, quinoa protein, chamomile, and aloe.

Use: Work into wet hair. You will be able to feel the rich and deep-cleansing lather working deep into your roots. For best results, Avalon Organics recommends that you follow-up with the Lemon Clarifying Conditioner.

Why it works: With a focus on making products that nourish the body from the outside in, Avalon Organics chooses natural elements and ingredients that have the best effect on your hair. This lemon clarifying shampoo gives you the deepest clean without any harmful chemicals.

Pros

Vegan and cruelty-free

Biodegradable

Sulfate and paraben-free

Free of any GMOs

Easy to find in stores

Cons

Can irritate sensitive skin

Avalon Organics’ Clarifying Shampoo is perfect for those looking for an affordable shampoo that contains all-natural and vegan ingredients.

#5: L’Oreal Paris Extraordinary Clay Shampoo

Another drugstore staple, L’Oreal’s Extraordinary Clay Shampoo purifies your roots to remove excess oils and hydrates split ends. It may seem strange that one product can dry up oily hair and moisturize dry ends, but this shampoo’s unique clay-based formula does it all. It promises to keep hair flowing and healthy from root to tip and maintain a healthy, oil-free scalp for up to two days. You won’t have any trouble finding this shampoo in your local drugstore, and it sells for just $5 per bottle.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: L’Oréal’s formula contains three refined clays that instantly start working to clean out your oily roots and hydrate dry ends. The only downside to this shampoo is that it’s not made completely out of all-natural ingredients; however, it is still safe to use on all hair types, even color-treated hair.

Use: If you use this product as your daily shampoo, L’Oréal recommends that using a pre-shampoo mask before cleansing and following-up with their Extraordinary Clay Conditioner.

Why it works: Clay works extremely well as an absorbent, and even skincare routines call for clay masks to cleanse oily skin. By using this shampoo with various refined clays, you will start to see a wonderful difference in the amount of oil buildup at your roots.

Pros

Safe for oily, color-treated hair

Extremely affordable

Silicone-free

Cons

Only guarantees 48 hours of purified roots

Contains sulfates

Not all-natural ingredients

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to maintain mildly oily hair, L’Oreal’s clay shampoo would be a good choice. It doesn’t offer long-term oil control, but if you use this product on a daily basis, you won’t have to keep fighting a greasy scalp.

#6: PHYTO PHYTOPANAMA Daily Balancing Shampoo

PHYTO’s Daily Balancing Shampoo is a miracle product for those with sensitive, oily scalps. This shampoo gently cleanses your hair yet still manages to completely rid roots of oil buildup. In addition to clearing up your greasy hair, this product will also clear out any germs that get caught in your hair. This shampoo will also give your hair a boost of volume and shine. With this product, you will see benefits in all aspects of your hair’s health.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: There are three main ingredients in this balancing shampoo: castor oil, juniper berry, and guillaja bark extract. The castor oil helps protect hair from outside factors that could potentially cause damage. The juniper berry regulates sebum production in your scalp and also works as a detoxing agent. Finally, guillaja bark extract has the most important benefit of deeply cleansing your hair.

Use: Use in place of your normal daily shampoo. Massage into your locks and let sit for at least two minutes. Rinse thoroughly, and repeat if you feel that your hair needs another cleansing boost.

Why it works: Continuous use of this shampoo will fully regulate sebum production thanks to the juniper berries which are naturally detoxifying.

Pros

Good for daily use

Great for balancing sebum production

Won’t irritate sensitive scalps

Cons

A little pricey

Thin consistency

Although this shampoo sells for around $26 per bottle, I would still recommend it to those who have oily hair and don’t want to give up the benefits of their current daily shampoo. Not only will PHYTO’s shampoo purify your scalp, but it will also improve the overall health and texture of your hair.

Tip: pour the product into a spray bottle to apply, so you don’t waste any of the shampoo.

#7: Redken Scalp Relief Oil Detox Shampoo

A salon favorite, Redken takes pride in creating effective and quality hair products. Their scalp relief shampoo for greasy hair provides a deep clean and absorbs excess oils. After a couple days of using this shampoo, you will notice lighter and fully-cleansed hair. Because of its salon quality, Redken’s oil detox shampoo even works on thick, oily hair without drying it out.

At $33 per bottle, it’s more expensive than your typical drugstore shampoo. However, because of its deep-cleaning properties, you won’t need to use a lot of it to get a thorough cleanse. Plus, with its sleek white packaging, you’ll feel like you are using a luxury hair product every time you reach for the bottle.

A Closer Look

Ingredients: not all of the ingredients in this oil-control shampoo are natural, but it does include lemon extract to purify oily hair. It also includes lipacides — which help balance pH levels — and microsponges that soak up extra oils.

Use: For best results, apply the oil-free shampoo to wet hair, focusing mainly on your scalp, and rinse. For an extra-oily scalp, apply to dry hair and leave on for one to two minutes. Rinse and repeat daily for the most effective oil control.

Why it works: This formula utilizes a Lipa-Sponge system to thoroughly clean your hair’s pores and purify the scalp. The lipacides rebalance the oil levels in your scalp and bring it back to a natural equilibrium, making your hair appear matte, yet fresh.

Pros

Oil-free

Highly absorbing

Good for all hair types

Cons

Contains sulfates

Not available at retail stores

Slightly pricey but is sold at a discounted rate on Amazon

Redken’s Scalp Relief Shampoo may be more expensive than your regular product, but it’s definitely worth the cost when the results are oil-free and hydrated hair. With its salon-quality formula and deep cleansing process, this is one of the best shampoos to reduce oily hair.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Shampoos for Oily Hair

To help you better understand why your roots are oily and how you can best treat them, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions by those who suffer from greasy hair.

Why Does Hair Get Oily?

There are so many factors that could make your hair oily and greasy. Anything from over-conditioning to using a dirty hairbrush can cause hair to over-produce natural oils. Your hair follicles produce an oil called sebum that can easily build up at your roots, causing your hair to get greasy and dull the overall shine of your style. Excessive sebum production is often the main reason you fight with oily locks.

What Kind of Shampoo Is Good for Oily Hair?

When looking for a shampoo that will cure all your oily hair woes, focus on how the product treats your roots. Oil production starts at the top of your head, so find a deep cleansing shampoo that penetrates deep into the roots of your hair.

Is Tea Tree Shampoo Good for Oily Hair?

Tea tree oil is one of the ingredients that seems to do it all. Tea tree shampoo revitalizes hair at the roots to promote new growth while clearing follicles of dead skin cell build-up. Salons often recommend tea tree shampoos to help manage oily hair as well as dandruff.

What Should You Avoid When Looking for Good Oily Hair Shampoos?

When trying to find the right shampoo to control greasy hair, it’s best to stay away from products that have heavy oils already in them. Also, when you apply conditioner, be careful not to put too much around your roots, for that could lead to even more oil buildup near your scalp.

How Important Are All-Natural Ingredients When Looking at Shampoo for Oily Hair?

By finding a shampoo with mostly all-natural ingredients, you are guaranteed safe results when managing hair oil. Sometimes common shampoos contain harmful chemicals and synthetic perfumes that can do more damage to your hair. Luckily, there are specific shampoos for oily hair that contain organic elements that naturally absorb unwanted oils from your hair without drying it out.

Which Shampoo Should I Use on Oily, Color-Treated Hair?

If you have oily, color-treated hair, I recommend using Neutrogena’s Anti-Residue Shampoo because of its non-irritating formula that will gently cleanse your oily hair without stripping it. And since it’s not a daily-use shampoo, you can continue to use your go-to product for colored hair.

How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Greasy Scalp and Dry Ends?

Suffering from a greasy scalp and dry ends can be a tricky situation. A shampoo that is too moisturizing can cause oil production to worsen and certain oil-control shampoos can be extremely drying, so it’s important to find the right balance. It’s best to find a product that not only clears out any oil buildup from your scalp, but also replenishes your purified roots with a boost of moisture. To cure both problems, I recommend Desert Organics’ Lemon Tea Tree Hair Care.

If you have been hopelessly suffering from greasy roots and dulled shine, the fix lies within one of these top seven shampoos. These products are the best of the best and produce unbelievable results. Ultimately, it’s important to know your own hair and which shampoo for oily hair will best maintain your hair’s health and beauty.